JOSH WEIR
Canton Repository
June 16, 2008 01:16 am
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CLEVELAND — Shin-Soo Choo and Cha Seung Baek go back a few years.
“Same town, same middle school, same high school,” said Choo, adding that the two natives of Pusan, South Korea also spent parts of six years together in the Mariners organization.
So Saturday night meant something special when Choo, an Indians outfielder, and Baek, a Padres starting pitcher, faced each other for the first time since a scrimmage 10 years ago at fair ol’ Pusan High School
Choo, who was two grades behind Baek, had an RBI double off Baek in the first inning Saturday. After that, Baek got Choo on a soft line drive to second in the third inning and a strikeout in the sixth inning, part of Baek retiring the last 16 Indians he faced enroute to a no-decision in San Diego’s 8-3 extra-inning win.
The Choo-Baek head-to-head could be called a draw, but not if you ask Choo.
“I told him the strikeout came with nobody on base,” he said. “The double was more important. It came with runners in scoring position. He said, ‘Shut up, Choo.’”
The two friends had dinner at Choo’s house in Westlake after the game.
n 5-HOLE — Choo made his second straight start batting in the No. 5 spot Sunday. Other than some increased RBI opportunities, Choo really sees no difference hitting there. Cleveland manager Eric Wedge no doubt likes to hear that. “I just want him to keep hitting the way he’s been hitting,” Wedge said. “What happens with these young people is you put them in a different spot in the lineup and they change. I don’t want them to change. They don’t need to try to do more. Keep being who you are.” Choo went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored Sunday.
n PRONK PUSHED BACK — Wedge wanted to send DH Travis Hafner on a rehab assignment at some point during the Tribe’s upcoming six-game road trip. But he’s given up hope on that after Hafner took some swings Sunday morning at Progressive Field. Hafner’s right shoulder had gained some strength, but not to the point where he can fundamentally make a proper swing. “It’s still going to take some time,” Wedge said. “We’re not there yet.”
n K-MAN — C.C. Sabathia’s fifth-inning strikeout of Jody Gerut put him in sole possession of fifth place on the club’s all-time strikeout list, passing Charles Nagy. Sabathia finished the game with 10 Ks, giving him 1,239 for his career. Sunday was the 14th double-digit strikeout game of his career and third of this season.
n LIVING LEGEND — Sabathia marvels at the career of Greg Maddux, his counterpart Sunday. “A lot of his numbers are sick” Sabathia said, mentioning Maddux’s 20 walks in 232 innings in 1997 and his 350 career wins. “He’s doing stuff that nobody else ever to play the game will be able to do.” Maddux, who won at least 15 games for 17 straight seasons from 1998 to 2004, is famous for his work ethic. “Someone told me he was in the video room Friday for four hours, just studying,” Sabathia said.
n ASDRUBAL WATCH — Asdrubal Cabrera had his fifth multi-hit game Sunday in six games since going to Triple-A Buffalo. Cabrera is batting .458. On a side note, Cabrera has been playing shortstop with the Bisons.
n GOOD CAUSE — Players, coaches, umpires and all on-field personnel were encouraged to wear light blue wristbands Sunday to promote prostate cancer awareness on Father’s Day.
n HELLO NEIGHBOR — Mr. McFeely from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” threw out the ceremonial first pitch Sunday. ... Padres RF Paul McAnulty (lower back strain) left the game in the bottom of the first after misplaying a Jamey Carroll double. ... Total attendance for the three-game weekend series was 101,894. ... The Indians are 2-4 in Interleague play this year and 103-95 all-time.
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